Age differences in manual versus vocal reaction times: further evidence

Old and young adults responded to the spatial location of a stimulus, either by moving a lever in the direction of the stimulus or by saying the word corresponding to the direction into a microphone. For subjects of both ages, vocal responses were slower than manual responses, and reaction times increased with increased alternatives (1, 2, or 4 directions). In addition, the slopes of the functions relating reaction times to alternatives were steeper for vocal responses, a finding that is contrary to the report of smaller age differences in reaction time for vocal responses. The slopes of the vocal functions were similar, however, a finding suggesting that age differences in central processing rates are less for vocal than manual responses.